By Amy Anthony
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) --When the Rhode Island School of Design offered iconic filmmaker John Waters an honorary degree, he was surprised. After all, he got thrown out of every school he ever went to.
Known for quirky films that push the boundaries of good taste, including 1972's outrageous cult classic "Pink Flamingos," Waters is the keynote speaker at the prestigious art school's commencement next weekend.
Waters will also receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree; recipients are chosen by the RISD community, and nominations are reviewed by a committee of students, faculty and staff.
"I don't even know if I got a high school diploma. It's very peculiar. I feel very flattered," said Waters, who attended New York University briefly in the 1960s before getting kicked out for smoking marijuana on campus. "I feel like the scarecrow in the 'Wizard of Oz' when they give him a brain."
RISD's 2015 Honorary Degree Committee cited Waters' body of films as an "enduring inspiration for RISD students seeking to break boundaries, challenge conventions, and define an expressive style," said RISD President Rosanne Somerson.
"In the words of one nominator, he 'embodies the RISD 'tude galore'," Somerson said.
Waters will share a stage with three members of the band Talking Heads — two are RISD alumni — and New Yorker staff writer Adam Gopnik.
Waters has written and directed more than a dozen films over his decades-long career, many of them low-budget movies featuring a cadre of unconventional characters, including drag queen Divine, Waters' longtime friend and muse. Waters saw mainstream success with 1988's "Hairspray," another cult classic that was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2002. He is also a published author and photographer.
"I shouldn't have been in school. You go to school to figure out what you wanted to do. I knew what I wanted to do," Waters said. "I wish I had gone to RISD. They would have encouraged my ideas. I could have made 'Pink Flamingos.'"
Waters does more writing these days than filmmaking: The paperback of his 2014 memoir "Carsick: John Waters Hitchhikes Across America" debuts this month. Waters said he was inspired to hitchhike from his native Baltimore to San Francisco because his life is so scheduled and controlled.
"My inspiration has always been the same, which is human behavior I can't understand, which is always my interest, always has been," Waters said.
The filmmaker is looking forward to accepting his honorary degree, "Without irony, for one of the few times in my life."
Mike Pierantozzi joins Movers+Shakers as exec creative director
Creative agency Movers+Shakers has appointed Mike Pierantozzi as executive creative director. In this new role, he will help guide the creative direction of Movers+Shakers’ socially-native campaigns. Pierantozzi will report to co-founder and chief creative officer Geoffrey Goldberg.
With nearly two decades of experience as a copywriter, creative director, and multi-platform storyteller, Pierantozzi brings a wealth of knowledge from his work with major brands including Kraft, Unilever, IBM, and Walmart. He has led the creation of award-winning campaigns for agencies like Red Tettemer, Ogilvy, The Brooklyn Brothers, TAXI, Saatchi & Saatchi, and most recently, Vayner, where he spearheaded culturally iconic work for Planters including “Death of Mr. Peanut.” He led the National Down Syndrome Society and Luvs account, whose “First Kid. Second Kid” campaign was awarded by the Effies, ADC, Clios and LIAs.
Outside of the office, Pierantozzi practices what he teaches brands. He’s gone viral multiple times on his own TikTok account, featuring comedic interactions with his son and a trombone. He’s accumulated 15K followers on TikTok.
“Mike brings a rare and awesome combination of deep social and platform experience, a keen eye for excellent storytelling, and a humble and kind approach to leadership,” said Goldberg. “Mike’s got a knack for turning brand stories into cultural movements, making him the perfect fit for Movers+Shakers. He’s got the kind of bold vision and attention to culture that fits perfectly with our mission to push creative boundaries and drive industry firsts. Plus, as a creator himself he has the innate ability to make people stop, laugh, and share--which is exactly what we’re about.”
“I’ve... Read More